'Great hit' proves key as Pioneers pull away

Goal-line fumble recovery leads to long touchdown drive

BOONVILLE, Ind. - With both teams focused on the running game, points were at a premium between Washington and Boonville Friday night. So when the Hatchets moved within one yard of a possible tying touchdown, the Pioneers needed someone to make a play.

That someone ended up being Austin Castleman, who jumped on a fumble to give Boonville the ball. Two minutes later quarterback Ryan Nance finished off a 94-yard touchdown drive with a 15-yard run for a 14-0 lead with 2:18 to play in the first half.

That was all the momentum the Pioneers needed and they cruised from there to a 21-0 victory.

"Someone made a great hit," Castleman said of the fumble. "The ball came right to me and I fell on it. They had all the momentum but when that happened it just all shifted our way and we never stopped."

Neither team was able to develop a passing game. Washington quarterback Jake Brashear was out of town for a wedding, so freshman Max Lancaster stepped in. He never attempted a pass and Boonville's Nance threw just twice for one completion and one interception.

Boonville took its biggest chance of the game while leading 7-0 and on its own 36-yard line. One fourth and inches, the Pioneers elected to go for the first down but Nance fumbled the snap and Washington recovered.

Runs from Jaden Arvin and Dalton Devine set up the Hatchets just a yard from the goal line, but Washington fumbled on the next two plays — the second of which Castleman recovered.

"That was really big because we went for it down there and then faced some adversity," said Boonville coach James Blankenship. "But the defense came up with the big play and then the offense stuck it right back down the field, so instead of 7-7 it was 14-0."

Boonville used nine ball carriers with Nance leading all rushers with 111 yards on 12 carries. Castleman added 96 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts.

"We spread the ball around and you never know who was going to get it," Castleman said. "It is great to have people who can step in there when the number ones get tired."

Boonville used a little trickery for its final score with a double handoff to spring Jacob Newton on a 54-yard touchdown run. Newton had 83 yards on seven carries.

Blankenship said, "After it got to be 21-0, it was pretty ugly football. We've got a whole bunch of things we need to work on."

As a team Boonville rushed for 402 yards on 42 carries.

Washington had 169 yards on 36 carries. The Hatchets were led by Arvin's 75 yards on 13 carries.